Product Review for Ardent Flipping Reel

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As you may recall, I have been pleasantly surprised with Ardent's reels. First, I purchased a couple on a group deal about two years ago. We received a hefty discount which made it worth trying a new brand. I have tried a lot of different brands, but Shimano was the only brand that really lived up to my expectations for a baitcaster. 

Even though I bought the Ardents for the price point, they have ranked just below Shimano for quality. I liked them enough to join their prostaff this year. 

I was really excited about this new flipping reel which was designed by the king if flipping, Denny Brauer. You can go directly to Ardent's site and see the product for yourself here. 

Here is the description and the stats:

"The Apex Flipping Reel is the only reel specifically engineered for flipping. Designed by #2 all-time B.A.S.S. Elite money winner and King of Flipping Denny Brauer, its ergonomic frame shape minimizes hand discomfort and maximizes efficiency. Its total reel weight of 5.9 ounces reduces arm and shoulder fatigue, and its thin arbor spool and nose design improve flipping accuracy and eliminate the need for a level wind mechanism. The aluminum frame and carbon fiber handle provide strength with reduced weight. 11 lbs. of drag combined with 10 plus 1 ball bearings and 6.5:1 gearing deliver strong close range retrieves."

High Strength Aluminum frame
Helical Aircraft Aluminum Gear
Carbon Fiber swept back handle
EVA grip knobs on handle
11 lb. Strike Saver Drag System
10+1 High Precision Ball Bearings
Swept back forge aluminum star drag
Weight: 5.9 oz

Pros: 

True to its description, the reel IS very ergonomic. It fits fantastically into your hand and you do no get fatigue. 

The handle design gives you a lot of no-slip, high weight wrenching power. 

I really like the spool design, as it limits just how much line you have to put on the reel. That will save some money, in the end. Additionally, while this reel is the same weight as every other Ardent (a surprise, given that the goal of this reel is to limit weight), having less line on the reel will save SOME weight.

Getting rid of the level wind setup and the smaller "eye" does create a very, very smooth cast. 

It's nice just to have a dedicated flipping reel ready to go. 

Cons:

Not available left-handed. That is a major, major disappointment. As most know, a left handed reel saves valuable time and missed hits during the transfer from right to left hand with a right handed reel. This was a major oversight. 

I really don't understand going with the 6.5:1 ratio. I do understand that the lower ratio provides some durability for the gears and it allows better leverage and wrenching power, but it drastically limits retrieval speed. Retrieval speed is all important in both number of flips and getting the fish out of the cover that you are flipping. Most everyone is using as high as ratio as possible, up to 8:1. Why not just step up the quality of the gears in the reel to deal with the stress of a high ratio?

The reel gets rid of the typical level wind setup and makes way for a smaller spool and larger "eye." Yes, it saves weight (supposedly) but it sacrifices accuracy, even though it is supposed to be more accurate. Because it doesn't have a level wind system, you are forced to "tape off" the line. That is, measure out a cast length and add tape down on the spool. It prevents birds nests, of course, but also the lack of a level wind causes line to pile up. 

Conclusion

This is the first iteration and I hope it isn't the last. The approach is the right approach. Limit the mechanisms, limit the weight, make it as ergonomic as possible. But, Ardent really missed the boat on the truly important things that fishermen will look for: retrieval speed, accuracy, and a left-handed model. I wouldn't pay the MSRP of $169.99 again but I have no problem with the discounted price. Hopefully, the next iteration will fix these oversights. 

Product Review for Bass Mafia Bait Coffin 3700 Deep

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"The Bass Mafia Bait Coffin 3700 Deep is a serious storage container built for holding your most valued lures and tackle. The extreme durability of the Bass Mafia Bait Coffin 3700 Deep makes it waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and virtually indestructible. Designed with large customizable compartments, the Bass Mafia Bait Coffin 3700 Deep can hold the super-sized plastics and hardbaits that might not fit in a traditional stowaway.

Dimensions:
8-1/2" X 14-1/4" X 4-1/4" "

For Christmas, one of my good friends bought me a Bass Mafia Bait Coffin. I was really excited about these, since, like many of you, I have grown tired of buying Flambeau or Plano boxes every season.

If you are as fortunate as I, you fish with a lot of different people in a lot of different boats, including my own. This means that on a weekly basis, I am transferring my storage boxes into multiple vehicles. They get dropped, thrown around, and generally beat up. I probably average replacing at least three boxes a year. Seeing that I am a versatile fisherman, I have around ten boxes in my boat at any one time. This is only for terminal tackle and hard baits, as I store my plastics in Zip-Loc bags. So, I replace a third of my storage containers a year to the tune of around $40. 

As many of you know, fishing isn't a cheap sport, but it would be nice not to have an additional $40 or more a year for something that doesn't catch fish. 

Enter the Bass Mafia Bait Coffin. Now, the price is daunting, as it carries a nearly $40 price tag from most vendors. However, it also has a warranty that the other two companies don't offer. 

Pros

• I use this for my jigs, in particular. No longer do I have multiple boxes for jigs. They all fit. 
• This box is a very, very hearty box and the lid will latch solidly, even if it is over capacity.
• The shear number of slots make it perfect to hold a lot of baits and to keep them separated.
• There is a warranty. 

Cons

• This box is heavy. That may not matter to most people, but for some people (especially performance boat guys), it will be an extra few pounds if you use multiple Bait Coffins
• Storing a lot of baits in one box is great, but it doesn't fit a lot of boat storage areas. In particular, many boats are designed with the aforementioned companies in mind. This will not fit anything similar. Therefore, I have to just lay my boxes in the rod/bait locker however it will fit. 
•  Each box costs in excess of $40. 
• The dividers slip out of place just as easily as any other company's

My Experience

I have been very pleased with my Bait Coffin, regardless of the Cons. I did have a latch corner break, which is very common with these boxes. I emailed the support at Bass Mafia and they asked for a picture of the damage and proof of purchase. Though I had the picture of the damage, I didn't have proof of purchase, since it was a gift. I explained that and they sent me a replacement.

Of course, the replacement wasn't what I expected. I recieved an entirely new box along with a Bass Mafia hat and bumper sticker! 

So, despite the additional cost over competitors, the warranty made it worth the purchase. I was so pleased that I bought their Terminal Coffin as well, which I also like, very much. 

Product Review of AKRods Custom Magnum Crankbait Rod

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Every fisherman in the world has different ideas on how a rod should feel and act. That's why the average bass fisherman owns dozens of different rods. What works for one fisherman won't work for the next. The issue is, when fishermen go shopping, they are all shopping for the exact same rods though each man is different. 

Take me, for example. I am a very short guy with fairly short arms. I love to throw crankbaits, specifically those deep diving plugs. The mass produced options that I could find that would give me the balance of castability, retrievability, and fish-fighting power were far and few in between. For years I had relied on the Wright & McGill Skeet Reese magnum cranking rod. It could certainly cast those big cranks but I had some issues with it, namely that the butt length was too long for a short armed guy, the rod had no accuracy, and the weight was ridiculously high. After even 30 minutes of casting, my forearm would be burning. Furthermore, if I could make the exact cast I needed and could find the fish, my side would be rubbed raw from the butt. And, of course, yellow and black aren't my colors, but I digress. 

I wanted something that had the length I needed to make long casts yet had a versatile loading profile to allow me to make accurate short casts on top of those long ledge busting ones. In addition, I wanted a handle and a butt that fit me, not the average guy. Most importantly, I wanted the weight to be trimmed way down. Also, a little customization never hurt anyone, right? 

I contacted Anthony at AKRods, whom I had bought several custom rods from in the past. While he had built me custom, hand built rods with quality components, I had never special ordered a rod built to my specification. I told him what I wanted, everything from the handle and butt length to the quality of the components I wanted to the very colors of the wrappings. A month later, my custom cranking rod arrived. 

Here are the specifics on the rod:

• Mudhole MHX CB906 Crankbait blank
• 7'6" | 10-17 lb. | 3/8 - 1 1/4 oz. | Mod-Fast Action | Medium-Heavy Power | 1 Piece | 5.5 Tip | 0.573 Butt | Slate Finish
• Custom Orange and Blue wrappings
• Custom orange and blue EVA grips
• Fuji FCS reel seat
• Fuji Alconite micro guides

The rod weighed in at just 4.3 ounces, a ridiculously low weight for a rod meant for magnum crankbaits. I paired this with an Ardent Elite 5.3:1 reel. I was simply blown away with the low weight which made a day on the water a lot easier, especially for someone who relies on big cranks as much as I do. 

However, what I was truly blown away with was the loading of the rod. Unlike some of the other magnum cranking rods which would not load up unless you really heaved them, which made short accurate casting impossible, this rod would easily load for short, precise casts. Being able to roll cast to laydowns on bluff walls from 10 yards away was just as important as casting all of the line out to cover a ledge for me and this rod did that perfectly. 

When it came to needing to make those long casts, I didn't have to really exert a lot of force to make the rod load up, which is particularly important when casting into the wind. That prevented me from having the bird's nest or the associated snapping off of those expensive cranks. I could easily make those long casts thanks to the ease of loading of the rod. 

That didn't come at a cost to fish fighting, either. I really put this rod through its paces in its first tournament. Our biggest fish of the day came off this rod including some nice magnum spots on Smith Lake. 

Obviously the customization is important to most people, whether that is color matching it to your boat or to your own body, but the ability to have high end components shouldn't be overlooked, nor should the benefits of a hand-built rod be ignored. For example, each hand-built rod has its spine identified, marked, and incorporated so that it  maximizes its internal strength. 

I am incredibly happy with this rod and the fact that it is customized to my demands makes it even better. It isn't a $75 rod that you went to your local sports store and bought. This is a $300 dollar rod that took a month to build and, as such, I received a far, far superior product than I could go to any store and purchase. I am typically a very cheap guy, but these rods, which have specific uses, are worth every penny. 

Not only do I highly recommend AKRods, but I would highly recommend this particular rods as good crankbait rods are all but impossible to find. Contact me for more information at best5zach@yahoo.com 

Product Review for Masterbuilt 40" Electric Smoker

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For my birthday and Christmas my dad bought me this Masterbuilt 40-inch electric smoker from Academy. At the time, it was on sale for $249, though it is now listed for $299.

I wanted an electric smoker because, well, sometimes I like to be lazy. I love smoking with charcoal, don't get me wrong. But, especially in late November and December, getting out of bed at 5AM and walking to the shop isn't fun. Additionally, dealing with wind and low temps are aggravating. So, I wanted to have the option to set it and forget it.

It took about 30 minutes to set up and I was pleased with the ease of operation. Set the temp, set the time, add water and wood chips and walk away. You can even use the bluetooth to monitor the situation from your phone. I particularly liked the meat thermometer.

That's when things fell apart.

• The Bluetooth has a range of about 15 yards, if that. Which means it is virtually useless. 
• I don't like how small the grease trap is. It's ok for one butt and maybe a few smaller items, but multiple fatty meats would overwhelm it. 
• I don't like how small of a wood chip compartment is. Now, it is nice to be able to add without opening the main door, but I don't always use small chips. Sometimes I like to use chunks. 
• After three weeks and about five uses, it died.

I went out one day to smoke some meat for dinner. As I set the temp and time, the digital readout said the internal temp was 310 degrees. Obviously that was incorrect and I noticed that the heater wouldn't turn on. I turned it off and even unplugged it. Eventually, I did some research and found the truth: the controller on these units is renowned to fail and it is a complete and irreversible failure.

According to several websites and forums, the venders such as Academy and Sam's have known about this issue, which stems from a cheap controller their sourced from overseas. Instead of pulling them off the shelf, the vendors had decided to sell the remaining stock, forcing buyers to bring them back.

Another option was for the buyer to contact Masterbuilt directly. However, Masterbuilt's solution was to send repair parts. These repair parts were not modular and repair apparently meant disassembly of the controller including the power cord and resoldering it. In some cases, this had caused some electrical fires, for which Masterbuilt would not be responsible. In addition, it might take weeks or months to receive the repair parts.

Owners were encouraged to simply return them and get their money back, if they had the receipts. Because mine was so new, that wasn't an issue. Since Academy didn't have a replacement (at the time, other than another 40-inch unit), my dad simply got a refund. I took the refund and bought the 30-inch version from Academy. Soon as I have a more complete picture of how it works, I will let you know.

Until then, this unit is one that should be avoided. I know of many people who have it and have not had any issues with it, but it DOES have a high failure rate which will likely leave you stranded.

Product Review for Ardent Outdoors Apex Elite and Apex Grand

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One of the benefits having a good fishing club and an even better president is the fringe benefits. In this case, our president goes out and gets us great prices on fishing equipment. Last year, he was able to secure us a fantastic (truly unbeatable) discount on Ardent Outdoor's products.  Of particular note were their reels. Now, I have always been a Shimano guy and have occasionally gone to other brands. I have used Lew's as well as house brands from Bass Pro Shops and Academy. For the most part, the house brands are garbage and Lew's is exactly what you get for $100. 

As such, I was hesitant to go all in on Ardent's products. But, I did need a 5:1 reel for cranking as well as a nice 7.3:1 ratio with a lot of strength for frogging/flipping/etc that might compare to Shimano's Curado. Therefore, I selected an Apex Elite in 5.3:1. It also comes in 6.5:1 and 7.3:1, as well as left and right hand configuration for 6.5:1. 

Here are the stats for the Apex Elite:

High Strength Aluminum frame
Deep V 6061 T6 machined aluminum spool
Carbon Fiber swept back handle
EVA grip knobs on handle
270 Degree Mag Brake system
12+1 Ball Bearing
Swept back forge aluminum star drag
Line capacity
Weight: 5.9 oz
Line Capacity 150 Yards - 12 lb

Here are the stats for the Apex Grand

High Strength Aluminum frame
Deep V 6061 T6 machined aluminum spool
Carbon Fiber swept back handle
EVA grip knobs on handle
270 Degree Mag Brake system
Internal Centrifugal Brakes
12+1 Ball Bearing
Swept back forge aluminum star drag
Weight: 5.9 oz
Line Capacity 150 Yards - 12 lb

I have fished with each of these for right at a year now. In that time, I have purchased another five Ardent reels. It isn't the quality or performance, per se, as much as the price point. With the discount we receive (which most people can get if they look around), the price point cannot be beat. The price is less than a Lew's Speed Spool (between $100-$120) and the performance greatly exceeds the entry level of the Lew's and, in some ways, exceeds the Shimano Citica. 

Casting: When you read the bio on each reel, you will see that casting distance is a major focus for Ardent. Indeed, these reels, when setup properly, will outcast virtually any reel on the market. These reels will actually cast a lot further than you want to, at times. The Elite, which I use for cranks, can handle small squarebills up to Strike King 8XD's with just slight tuning on the tension knob. 

Tunability: Casting and tunabilty go hand in hand. With that said, these reels will cast as far as you want IF the reels are setup precisely. I find that the two part cast control used on Ardent's products has something to be desired. Now, I am not a hard caster. I prefer to let the rod to the work. I have found that all of my Ardent braking systems have to be set almost to maximum and the tension knob has to be almost as tight as it can go without truly affecting the spool. To that end, Ardent has a lot to be desired on Shimano but are much further ahead on Lew's, which remains one of the most baffling reels to setup and remain dialed in for the same bait. 

Drag: The drag on these is excellent. The Grand could be a little heavier for me, as I throw Alabama Rigs and Bullshads on this rell, frequently through heavy grass. 

Weight and Size: I have zero complaints about the size of the se reels and the weight and I have fairly small hands. 

Quality and Durability: No issues yet. However, I detected a difference in smoothness of one Ardent Elite to another Elite. 

Price Point: Again, with a discount, the Elite will sit in between a Shimano Citica and a Lew's Speed Spool. In many respects, it is a better over all reel than the Citica (with more options, to boot) and be just pennies more than a Lew's while completely out performing. 

The Grand is comparable to a Shimano Curado for the price, but is still lacking in the completeness of the reel. The Curado is just more steady and consistent. 

Trolling Motor Maintenance and Upgrades

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While I was building a custom divider for my passenger side storage box, I figured it was time to make some upgrades at the front of the boat. After all, it is froggin' and flippin' season, which is brutal on your trolling motor. 

It is imperative this time of year to make sure that your trolling motor is in tip-top condition. Thing is, it extender beyond battery care, though that is obviously the most important aspect of trolling motor care. 

My trolling motor was already in need of some help. It was very squeaky and jumpy thanks to a deteriorated rubber mat under it as well as loose bolts. It was also very jumpy when first engaged. All of these things are noticed by the most important thing: the fish.

So, I ordered some parts, but while I was waiting for the parts, I went ahead and did the prep work and then some.

First things first, I pulled the prop off. I did this first because it would be harder to leverage with everything loosened up. So, I pulled it off. Guess what? A mound of old line was wrapped around the shaft. It is an easy fix for something that really hurts efficiency. 

Next thing I did was sharpen the blade. Sure, it seems funny considering it's plastic, but consider how much better a prop works on your big motor when it isn't dinged up. Now, think about that in context to cutting through grass. This was extremely easy to accomplish with a vice and file. I was able to work out all the dings. 

I removed the old padding by removing all but one of the tie down bolts. Complete removal is unnecessary and actually quite a headache. I made sure to clean the mating surfaces in preparation to sticking down a T-H Marine Silencer Pad. 

I also added a BoatBuckle trolling motor tiedown strap to keep the motor in place on those rough days. 

I added a T-H Marine G-Force Eliminator prop nut to keep things quiet. 

Lastly, to keep that grass off the motor shaft, I added a Ninja Grass Blade. This is secured to the side of your motor with epoxy and cuts that grass so it doesn't wrap around the shaft causing unnecessary cleaning.  

Reassembly was easy and I made sure to tighten everything down accordingly. I spent three straight days on Guntersville and I can't tell you how happy I am with the products! 

Deep Sea Fishing Report with Sea Leveler Sport Fishing Charters

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We took our annual beach trip this past week. Over the last half a decade, we have settled in on using Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral. Not only had we become accustomed to it due to my work, but we found it to be an area that really suits us. Yes, the drive is significantly longer, but the lines and waits at local establishments are much shorter. 

The area isn't very tourist-y, though it is a port for Carnival, Disney, and other cruise lines. So, on some days there is a little traffic, but the vast majority of the beaches are not congested. We can go wherever we want and we choose Cocoa Beach. 

This trip was a little different. While our friends Josh and Emily usually vacation with us, they now have a baby. In addition, my other best friend and his family were set to accompany us. Instead of a renting a condo, we rented a beach house. 

My dad and uncle and their wives decided to also vacation, though they stayed at a different place. With that many people, it made the perfect opportunity to charter a fishing boat and get to experience some deep sea Atlantic fishing. 

Josh settled on Sea Leveler Sport Fishing Charters based upon their reputation and success in putting non-locals on fish. In particular, Josh explained that we were very interested in grouper, amberjack, and mahi-mahi. 

After a few relaxing days at the beach, we met up with captain Garren, who would be taking us out on Seas The Day, a 31 foot fishing boat. Here is a little bit on Garren from their website: 

"Captain Garren grew up in Merritt Island where he spent most of his time on the water or in the water, and he wouldn't change a thing! Garren's grandfather Instilled a life-long passion for fishing and the outdoors in his grandson. Garren has been fishing the waters of the Bannana River Lagoon and the waters off Cocoa Beach since he could hold a fishing pole and to this day, he still can't get enough of it! He can honestly say he leaves vacations to come right back to paradise. From the second you hop on board, you will see he loves giving people a local experience they'll never forget. Recently, shark fishing has become Garren's favorite type of fishing. He loves the thrill of the unknown when shark fishing. Whether you are catching a 3 ft shark or 300lb shark, the entire night is very exciting and keeps you on your toes."

After a talk with Garren the night before, we headed to Sunrise Marina around 6AM, which beats getting up at 2AM for bass tournaments! All of us had taken our meds to prevent seasickness, but Garren told us to expect very calm seas, for which we were all thankful. In the back of my mind, I wondered how calm seas would affect the fishing. In my experience with inshore fishing, calm waters typically meant tough fishing. 

We loaded up on the boat and after having to wait for another boat in front of us, we headed out to sea.

At around 20 knots, it took us almost two hours to reach the first spot. But, it was a very pleasant ride. Eventually we found the spot he was looking for, which was about 150 feet deep. We would be dropped two lines at a time. 

Using live bait called croakers, we dropped our heavy weights down to around 150 feet. Kevin and Josh were up first and Garren instructed us on what to feel for and how to reel. Of course, it was the total opposite of my experience in bass fishing. Within seconds of the weights hitting the bottom, we had a fish on. Kevin fought and fought. After a fairly long and exhausting fight, captain Garren gaffed Kevin's fish, for which he caught solo (more on that later). Just like that, we had 35 pounds of meat in the cooler. Josh, who had planned the whole trip, took a giant sigh of relief. 

After a re-baiting of the one hook, I took my place next to Josh, who was still up. Garren maneuvered the boat back to the spot and instructed us when to drop, which we did. Once again, the second the lead hit the sand, Josh was hooked up with a fish. Again, the fight was long and exhausting, but Garren put another one in the boat. We now had a nice grouper and a solid amberjack. 

I was back up, along with my uncle Jeff. In another impressive bit of seamanship, Garren put us right back on the spot. He could account for drift as well as the amount of time it would take for the bait to find its mark. It culminated in pin-point accuracy. 

Once my bait hit the bottom, I felt a fish take the bait, but my bass fishing instincts kicked in and I tried to feel for the fish and then set the hook. All wrong. It took me two or three tries to get hooked up, but Garren was very patient with me. When I finally did get hooked up, so did uncle Jeff. We both fought our fish, but at the very end, his came to the surface before mine and then wrapped my line up. It resulted in getting one fish in, but my fish came off. 

I did manage to get a serious blister on my finger from all that serious reeling! 

The spot went dead on us and Garren made one of those fisherman's instinctive call. He headed to the gulf stream, something that none of the other boats were doing. It was another lengthy ride. But it paid serious dividends.

We doubled up on amberjack not once but twice. Then we added another. Before we knew it, we had our limit of amberjack and a cooler full of fish. Along the way, I finally caught a nice 'jack of my own, but not without help. 

In fact, the move to the gulfstream meant deeper water, much deeper. We were dropping our lines down to almost 300 feet which meant around 400 feet of line to reel in! Because of that, we would have to use teamwork to get those fish in! One would hold the rod while the other reeled. About halfway through, we would have to swap off! 

After the two double-ups in a span of 30 minutes (15 of which we spent fighting the fish and another 15 to retrace the 1.5 mile drift we had made between hook ups) all of us needed a break. It was some serious work for which we all had bruises and blisters. 

Again, what was amazing to me was Garren managing the gulf stream drift of 5MPH, the time to get the baits to the bottom, and then maneuvering the boat to keep us in place. All that work resulted in 5 drops that resulted in instant hook-ups. 

With our limit of amberjack, we moved on to looking for grouper. Garren found a group of fish which we could get to hit, but they would simply steal the bait. Occasionally we could get a limited hookup, but they all pulled off. Before we knew it, it was time to head in. None of us had our feelings hurt because we had a ton of fish and we were all dead tired. 

Crazy thing is, Garren was set to go right back out for a shark trip after he cleaned our fish. Speaking of, he cut the meat just as we asked. The women and children met us at the dock and we celebrated with some photos! 

With a cooler of fresh fish, we immediately got to work on cooking it. We fed 16 people three different meals and still brought home 20 pounds of fish! My favorite meal? Amberjack tacos with a home-made aioli sauce and a mozzarella slice topped with my honey balsamic cherry tomato/red onion/avocado salad. 

We had a blast and we will be making a fishing trip on each vacation from now on. Garren was great to us in terms of instruction and patience (especially me!). He was also very personable and engaging. He had tons of advice on how to cook the fish, local destinations, and essentially all things Cocoa. In terms of fishing knowledge, what he put us on is undeniable. In a vast and deep ocean, he had us hitting a spot the size of a VW Beetle and it meant big-time fish. We will be asking for him again. 

Product Review for Fishlife.net First Aid Treament

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Check out my Discount Baits Page!  to save cash on lures

In last week's fishing report from Logan-Martin, I had an embarrassing situation which I didn't talk about. But, in the aftermath of it, I had a good laugh and I decided that I needed to share my story because it might point anglers in the direction of a product that everyone needs to have in their boat.

The story went a little like this, and I will make it short. You can read about the rest of the fishing trip and watch the vid by clicking the link below. 

Fishing Report for Logan-Martin 5/20 and 5/21

We caught almost all of our fish early in the day. And, I mean REAL early. We had a limit in five minutes. The day was long and hot. Before a long run, I decided to swap out the water in the livewell. So, I turned on the fill pump as well as the pump-out. Since the two pumps are matched, the amount of water would stay constant, though it would now be fresh.

I didn't consider that my fill inlet is above the pad, which was completely out of water during the run. Almost as soon as I sat the boat down after a five-mile run, I heard what no fisherman ever wants to hear: fish flopping around. 

Yep, this genius had pumped out the entire livewell about a minute into the run and our winning sack was now dying. 

In particular, the three pound spot, which would eventually win us both 1st place and big fish, was belly up. My partner was furious and I was really embarrassed. What was worse was that we had a long time until weigh in and we wouldn't be catching any bigger fish. These fish had to make it or we would be done for. 

I had a product that I hadn't really used, but it was from a company I trusted. I reached for the bottle of Fishlife First Aid.  In addition, I used their fin clips to get the big fish right side up.

Hours later we weighed in five healthy and happy fish, walking away with a first place finish and a big fish. We wouldn't have done that without the help of Fishlife's products. Here is some information on the First Aid, which costs $7.99:

"The First Aid Treatment is the only product on the market that is used to slow or completely stop bleeding and start the healing process on bass or other fish that have been hooked in the gills, gullet, or tongue. Our formula goes farther than anything else imaginable to stop bleeding, and keep your fish alive. In our trial efforts, the bleeding from all wounds was stopped over 90% of the time. When a dead fish penalty can cost you the difference between 1st and 2nd, it is a lifesaver. Literally. "

A little about the fin clips, which cost just $7.99:

 

"This product is used when fish are caught deep and is an option to fizzing fish. If you bring a fish in and it is full of air, attach the Fin Clips to the anal fin and this will right the fish and pull them down. The goal of this technique is to allow the swim bladder to deflate naturally and not require fizzing. Now don't think this is an end all fix because there will be times when you still have to fizz the fish. The goal of any technique requiring deflation of the swim bladder is to right the fish as soon as possible so it will not kill itself trying to bring itself back to an upright position. Many times people think a fish is dying because it is on it's back however, it is just full of air and needing a little help."

The following Monday, I put in an order for their First Aid Kit, which costs $24.99. Here is some info on it: 

"The Fishlife Fish Aid Kit is everything you need to give your fish the best possible care. The Fishlife Fish Aid Kit consist of:

1) Fishlife Live Well Treatment which is proving itself to be the best live well treatment available today. This product is free of dyes and supported by tournament anglers of many different species.

2) Fishlife First Aid Treatment which is also proving itself to be in a class by itself. Report after report keeps coming in stating how well it is working for tongue and gill hooked fish. It is stopping the bleeding and saving our fish to fight another day.

3) Fishlife Fin Clips for clipping onto fish caught deep and giving their air bladders a chance to deflate naturally.

4) Finally the Fishlife Fizz Needles which has been built according to the guidelines established by the Texas Dept. of Parks and Wildlife and is used to deflate the swim bladders when the Fin Clips do not work." 

Here is the info from the "About Us" portion of their website.

"Sportsman's Media Group, Inc.

jody.harrison@fishlife.net
P.O.Box 185
Warrior, AL US

We are a group of fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts committed to sharing our dedication to conservation, education and preservation of the outdoors for future generations. What began as an Alabama-focused online fishing forum in November 2009 quickly grew to include a popular tournament series that utilized the latest innovations in fish handling, weighing, and conservation. Today, our Fishlife Water Weigh In System is the finest, most fish-friendly system of its kind, and is used at all of our tournaments. At Fishlife, our mission is now bolstered by unique on-site fishing education events, a comprehensive bass fishing tournament series, partnerships with high school and college fishing groups, young angler programs, and our social network, Fishlife.net. Fishlife. You have to live it to understand it. 

We're not afraid to talk to you. " 

The staff of Fishlife do more than just sell fish care products. They help run events and ensure that weigh-ins are done correctly, and, more importantly, the welfare of the fish is a primary concern. I would recommend them for any event.